Members of the Defence Committee of Parliament have described as untrue reports alleging that detained MP and singer, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) is in a worrying state and can not walk.
The MPs paid a visit to their fellow legislator, Bobi Wine who also sits on the same committee, on Sunday.
“I would like to confirm that as a parliamentary commission, today, I and my fellow commissioner Hon Arinaitwe Rwakajara sought an appointment with the Chief of Defence Forces to go and pay a courtesy visit to Hon Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine),” tweeted Usuk county MP, Peter Ogwang.
He further wrote that “contrary to social media alarming reports that Hon Kyagulanyi is in dire state, we found him in a better state than what is painted on social media”.
“Hon Kyagulanyi hugged and smiled at us, talked freely with us”.
Since Friday when the military allowed Bobi Wine’s lawyers and family to access him at Makindye military barracks where he is detained, both social media and mainstream media have been awash with reports that the singer was brutalized to the extent that he could not talk with ease or even support himself physically.
His lawyers also said one of his kidneys had been damaged and that he was experiencing excruciating pain, thus advocating for authorities to refer Kyagulanyi to a medical facility of his choice to get urgent medical care.
But according to Ogwal, Bobi Wine commended the UPDF doctors for taking good care of him medically.
He however admitted that the suspect complained to the Committee members about his kidney and pain on his hip, “but he confirmed to us that the doctors are going to do a scan to ascertain the exact problem”.
“Am not shy to say that indeed he has a few bruises on his face but he is in good state,” said Ogwal.
Asked for a photo with members who had visited, Kyagulanyi declined saying he still needed his privacy considering a few bruises on his face, according to Ogwal.
Anita Among who also sits on the same committee and was part of the delegation said that Bobi Wine’s situation was not as alarming as people have been alleging.
On Sunday, the army spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire tweeted: “Today Hon Members of Parliament Doreen Amule, Ibrahim Kasozi, Anita Amongin,Peter Ogwang and Arinaitwe Rwakajara have visited Hon Kyagulanyi in Makindye. He told them he was in no danger and no need to worry. He also spoke to the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament”.
On the same day, President Yoweri Museveni had issued a statement saying that upon asking the military doctors, he had discovered that Bobi Wine did not have head injuries or bone fractures as earlier reported.
“I decided to check with Army doctors because, being a disciplined Army, UPDF doctors always take precautions in such situations. Bobi Wine had already been seen by doctors in Arua, Gulu and Kampala. He has no head or chest injuries or bone fractures, they informed me,” said President Museveni in his statement.